Here is a party that I had a BLAST creating. This is a Diva Theme party that was for about 20 women. I was brought in to create the look, the invitations, the favors, the menu, and then Leanne from Party Accommodator and I did everything from greeting guests to pouring champagne so that the Divine Diva herself could enjoy her magical evening.

The invitations created were custom printed for us from The Write Expression, then I embellished them with crystal snowflakes. In the background of the picture is the large napkin ring that you will see used later, an ornament that was used to close the gift bag, and my boa catalog (doesn't every Diva need a boa?).

Custom Napkins? But of course! And the colors match the sign, I painted, which you will see below.

Inside these sparkling gift bags are black boas that I ordered from one of my suppliers and a "Bling Ring" that each Diva wore during the evening. Seeing the women open their bags and hearing them laugh was just the reaction I was going for. It is hard to see, but the crystal ornament is being used to close the bag, then I tied the top with a hot pink bow.

I painted and lettered this sign for Santa to greet the guests. His tiara was a perfect fit, and lucky for him, I ran out of time to put on his fake eyelashes. He was placed out on the front porch the night of the party with a spot light on him.

Using the clients silver service and props purchased for this party, I created a tablescape of white, hot pink, black and silver. After the caterer dropped off the food, I plated it for the buffet.

A Diva Party would not be complete without HUGE bling napkin rings.

Here is the dessert and coffee table. Fresh cedar surrounded the the coffee tray and I since I am not a florist, I created a casual arrangement with Christmas ornaments, cedar, white pine, and sparkly hot pink accents.

Here is is at night with the delicious desserts placed on the table.

Leanne pouring the coffee for one of the Divas

If you would like your own Diva Party, created just for you, send me a note! E-mail

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Sure I love working with my New England interior design clients, but I LOVE New England event and party styling.

Here are some photos of a class New England style Christmas party I styled for a client and their 60 guests. This particular event was in a private New England home, so I created items they could use every year. Getting out my glue gun, scissors, and wire, and got to work on this event. I can't wait to get photos from my client with pictures of the food buffets and bar area.

New England Style Christmas or Natural Theme Party Favors

For favors, I decided to wrap evergreen scented candles in burlap (burlap was a large part of the decor for this party) with small pine cones. After they were complete, I attached a note on the back of each one from the host and hostess. Below, you will see a picture of the favors in a basket that was placed in the front foyer.

The candy buffet, as you can probably tell, had a theme of red, green, and white. Custom labels were created, for each candy, with cute sayings that had to do with each treat.

I am so glad the candy is out of my house now. Keeping it in my home was such a tease to candy taste testers.

For the table that was going to be used for the appetizers, I hung a twig, greenery, and berry wreath upside down off of the chandelier. Tiny checkered bows were used to cover the wire.

For the dessert station, I found an old sled and embellished it with greens, red jingle bells, pine cones, and a burlap bow. I can't wait to see photos on how this looked once the caterer placed the desserts on top and around this piece. My client informed me that many of the guests are going to put sled on their dining room tables now just for decoration.

Yup.... I used a lot of burlap for this job. Some was a higher grade from a fabric store and some of it was from a local feed and grain store.

I wished the decorations showed up in the photo, but for some reason a lot seemed to disappear once the flash went off, but this simple tree had pine cones, twigs, red ornaments, red jingle bells, metal stars that I painted an antique gold, and a burlap bow and cascading ribbon

For the front hall that was lacking an item on the wall, I found a pair of old wooden skis, screwed them together and added greens, pine cones, bells, and what else? Say it with me now........ a burlap bow. the basket on the table is holding all of the candle party favors that I mentioned earlier.

Two of the mantel in the home were decorated. Here I added greens, amber ornaments, pine cones, candles, and sticks. Note the tall candle holder to keep the flame higher than the greenery.

In an older post, you might have seen this wreath already, but it was created for this party. I found vintage kitchen accessories and placed them on a faux wreath with wire. Then I added berries and bows to complete the look.

This sled was made for a different client, for the outside, but I thought I would share it here on this post.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

I was going through some of the older recipes and photos on my web site, and this is one of my all time favorites. I am ashamed to say that this might be the first time in many years that I will not find time to make my sugared pecans.The month is flying by and I am focusing on my clients parties (I have my own coming up and my house and my menu is not ready!) Last year, one of my friends came over and we made a HUGE batch to give out to all of our friends and relatives. This sugared pecan recipe is so easy. Just make sure they are not too close to the oven element (top and bottom) unless you want black and burnt pecans. Ick!

Monday, December 6, 2010

In just a few days, I will be finalizing the decor and styling for a "Farm House Christmas" Corporate/Open House/Christmas party for a client. I will post the finished rooms after the weekend, but here is some of the candy buffet items I have been working on. My house looks like a factory with items for four different parties. Favors, centerpieces, candy buffet items, invitations, custom napkins, and the list goes on. I am glad I don't have to keep items for my interior design clients in my home. Well..... that would be kinda nice!

This red, white, and green candy buffet has been fun and even though I have a store and studio to work out of, doing something like this, from home, has its perks. There were some nights I stayed up late weeding out the pink Mike n Ikes from the red or separating the red jelly candies from the green. If you want to see a lot of candy buffet ideas that I have found, please check out the page I created for you on my web site. Candy Buffet Ideas

A note from Linda

Thank you for stopping by! This blog is where I share my thoughts, ideas, and inspiration in a casual manner. I love to share and teach, so I am constantly taking photographs, producing videos, or consulting. I'm a tastemaker and cocktail shaker ready to explore the world around me, especially New England. I am a trained interior designer and party stylist, visual marketing and branding consultant, writer, reviewer, mom, wife and a publisher (Phew! I know that sounds like I wear a lot of hats, but being over 50, I have had many wonderful years to increase my knowledge and expertise). I'm a girly-girl and a tom boy wrapped up in one package and I would not have it any other way.